Desperate Times: Thief Drills Through Glass to Steal $11,000 in GPUs from Korean Computer Shop

A brazen early morning heist in Pyeongtaek, South Korea has highlighted the extreme value of graphics cards in today's market, with a thief using a hammer drill to break through glass doors and steal three high-end GPUs worth approximately $11,000.

The incident occurred at 5:56 AM when the burglar targeted a computer shop in the Gyeonggi Province city. Using a hammer drill to penetrate the glass entrance, the thief gained access to the store and methodically selected only the most valuable graphics cards available. The entire break-in was captured on the shop's CCTV system, providing clear footage of the amateur criminal's actions.

What makes this theft particularly noteworthy is the thief's apparent lack of preparation. Security footage shows the burglar exiting the store with his entire torso wrapped in just three GPU boxes, having failed to bring any bag or container to carry the stolen merchandise. This oversight suggests the crime was opportunistic rather than professionally planned.

The stolen items included an ROG Astral RTX 5090, Aorus Master RTX 5090, and a Colorful iGame RTX 5080 Vulcan. According to the shop owner, these three cards were valued at 17 million Korean won, equivalent to approximately $11,778. The vendor noted that if RAM and storage devices were also taken during the inventory check, total losses could exceed 20 million Korean won (about $13,845).

Interestingly, the shop owner demonstrated remarkable empathy toward the situation, acknowledging the broader economic pressures that may have motivated the crime. "I think this happened because everyone is going through hard times," the owner stated, even offering to extend leniency if the stolen goods were simply returned.

Police are actively investigating the case, and online sentiment in South Korea suggests authorities may have an advantage in identifying the suspect. Despite the thief wearing a mask and gloves, the clear CCTV footage combined with the ability to track GPU serial numbers makes apprehension likely. The lack of careful planning displayed during the heist has led many to believe the perpetrator will be caught relatively quickly.

This incident reflects the current state of the graphics card market, where high-end GPUs command premium prices that can make them attractive targets for theft. The desperation evident in this poorly executed robbery underscores how component shortages and high demand have created situations where even amateur criminals see opportunity in stealing computer hardware.

The shop is conducting a thorough inventory check to determine if additional components were stolen beyond the three high-value graphics cards. As the investigation continues, this case serves as a stark reminder of the extreme measures some individuals are willing to take when facing economic hardship in an environment where technology components have become increasingly valuable commodities.